How bad is the coyote problem in suburban Geneva? So bad that Geneva police might start shooting coyotes with paintballs.
The move is part of a recently proposed coyote-management plan recommended by the city council Monday night to address concerns from residents who reported aggressive coyotes in the area, according to the Daily Herald.
Under the new plan, police involvement would increase, allowing officers and trained volunteers to haze particularly aggressive coyotes by shooting them with paintballs, copper balls or bear spray, the Daily Herald reported.
The technique cannot be practiced by all residents, however, a rule emphasized by one city Alderman who reportedly said in the meeting it “is not a warrant [for residents] to go running around a neighborhood with paintballs.”
Workers from the Humane Society of the United States will also come to train residents on proper coyote hazing.
The move comes after residents last year reportedly complained about aggressive coyotes that were no longer scared of humans and weren’t frightened by hazing techniques. The city initially promised to keep track of coyote sightings and attacks on pets and humans.
